Swords & Deviltry

Fritz Leiber

The opening book in the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser series contains three short stories/novellas which explores the background of the characters and shows how they met. The first story, "The Snow Women" finds a youthful Fafhrd living in his home village. Caught up with the excitement if the arrival of a travelling troupe of performers. The arrival of which splits the village into two distinct sides, that of the women who dominate the village with their witchery and the men who face the disapproval of their wives in order to enjoy the performance. Fafhrd, who suffers an insatiable curiosity as far as civilisation goes finds himself drawn to one of the performers and the potential life she promises. The second story "The Unholy Grail" follows Mouse, an apprentice to a kindly wizard who finds himself drawn to the dark side for revenge. A transition that moves him firmly from the white into the gray of his name. The final tale, "Ill Met in Lankhmar", finally brings the two together in that most famous of cities. Working together against the powerful thieves guild, driven by the women who brought them their. The struggle leads to a tragedy that binds them all the closer together.

These two characters represent one of the best pairings in fantasy literature, and offers proof that Fritz Leiber can turn his hand to just about anything. There used to be theories banded about that Michael Moorcock was actually a pseudonym used by a group of authors, you could easily see such speculation occurring about Leiber as well. At the end of the day though, it is that flexibility that gives the work of these authors their power. The ability to take inspiration from more than just a tunnel visioned view of genre. The also share the recognition that character is far more important than place, that world building should play second fiddle to the fleshing out of character. That is what makes these characters so memorable and so distinct.

Overall a great opening to a series of stories that only go from strength to strength. Forget about the usual noble heroes, the real story is in the hands of the rogues. It is also very refreshing in the era of the multiple book "wait half a decade for the pay off" trend of modern fantasy.